"No talk of divorce during the New Year! I promise I'll spend tomorrow with you and our daughter!"
Looking at Virginia's radiant smile, a storm of emotions churned inside me.
Every time we fought, she'd find some way to apologize, to make the first move toward reconciliation.
And every time, I'd soften.
I pushed her away and walked silently into the bedroom.
While Virginia was in the shower, a photo arrived on my phone.
She and Jeremy, surrounded by a crowd, their lips meeting over the same cherry in an unmistakably intimate pose.
Jeremy's message dripped with smugness.
Hey Rudolph, we had a great time tonight. Happy New Year to you too!
I let out a bitter laugh and slipped the brand-new diamond ring off my finger.
The next morning, our daughter bounced around excitedly in the new outfit Virginia had bought her, looking every bit like a little princess.
We were all dressed and ready to head out to the Old Town when the doorbell rang.
Jeremy stood at the threshold, wearing a pitiful expression, his voice tinged with envy.
"Virginia, are you all going out? Could I... maybe come along? I'm all alone..."
I cut him off without hesitation.
"You had plenty of friends last night. If no one's around, stay home. Don't bother us."
I took my daughter's hand and led Virginia toward the door.
Tears welled up in Jeremy's eyes instantly, his voice cracking.
"I know you don't like me, Rudolph. I'm sorry. I won't bother Virginia anymore."
Virginia yanked her hand free from mine and grabbed Jeremy before he could leave.
"Jeremy, that's not what he meant!"
Looking at his wounded expression, her voice softened involuntarily.
"Where do you want to go? I'll take you."
A triumphant smirk flickered across Jeremy's lips as he shot me a look of pure provocation.
I gripped Virginia's arm. "You promised last night you'd spend today with me and our daughter."
She shoved me away, her brow furrowed in irritation.
"When can't I spend time with you two? How can you stand watching Jeremy be alone on New Year's? Rudolph, can't you show some consideration? Just let him come!"
With that, she took Jeremy's hand and murmured soothingly, "Let's go."
I watched their backs disappear down the hallway.
Only then did my daughter wrap her arms around me, her little face downcast.
I forced a smile.
"It's okay, sweetheart. Daddy will take you to the amusement park."
On the way there, she kept her head down, not saying a word.
My mind drifted to the past.
The Virginia I used to know had treasured me and our daughter above everything else.
Outside of work, she poured every spare moment into us.
A CEO who somehow carved time out of her impossible schedule to attend parent-teacher conferences. Who listened with genuine delight as our daughter rambled about her day at school.
Who planned elaborate surprises for our anniversaries, just to see me smile.
On her phone, the pinned chat and wallpaper were both family photos of the three of us.
But ever since she hired Jeremy as her new assistant, something shifted.
His posts flooded my feed, one after another.
The boss is so generous—bought me a belt, full price! I'm going to work myself to the bone for this company!
Thank you for the massive red envelope! Here's to a prosperous new year!
Hehe, the coffee shop had a couples' discount today. Guess I'm Virginia's boyfriend now~
In every photo grid, Virginia gazed at him with such tenderness, as if he were her entire world.
I screenshot them and sent them to Virginia with a message.
Since when is he your boyfriend? Should I step aside?
Within seconds, Jeremy's entire social media went dark to me.
He'd blocked me.
Virginia didn't reply either.
I stared at my phone, a hollow laugh escaping my throat.
This was absurd.
